System method and apparatus for authorizing access

Abstract

The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for enforcing software licenses for resource libraries such as an application program interface (API), a toolkit, a framework, a runtime library, a dynamic link library (DLL), an applet (e.g. a Java or ActiveX applet), or any other reusable resource. The present invention allows the resource library to be selectively used only by authorized end user software programs. The present invention can be used to enforce a “per-program” licensing scheme for a resource library whereby the resource library is licensed only for use with particular software programs. In one embodiment, a license text string and a corresponding license key are embedded in a program that has been licensed to use a resource library. The license text string and the license key are supplied, for example, by a resource library vendor to a program developer who wants to use the resource library with an end user program being developed. The license text string includes information about the terms of the license under which the end user program is allowed to use the resource library. The license key is used to authenticate the license text string. The resource library in turn is provided with means for reading the license text string and the license key, and for determining, using the license key, whether the license text string is authentic and whether the license text string has been altered. Resource library functions are made available only to a program having an authentic and unaltered license text string.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 901,776, for “Method and Apparatus For Enforcing Software Licenses, filed Jul. 28, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,188,995.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to the distribution of computer software, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for automated enforcement of computer software licenses.[0004]2. Background Art[0005]Some computer software programs use so-called “resource libraries” to provide part of their functionality. There is usually a license fee required to use a resource library. Under current schemes, it is not always possible to charge the license fee to all users of a resource library. This problem can be understood by comparing software structures that use resource libraries with basic software structures that do not.Basic Software Structure[0006]FIG. 1 illustrates a basic software structure. In th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a method and apparatus for enforcing software licenses for resource libraries. This allows for selective use of resource libraries only by authorized end user software programs. The invention includes an access authorization indicator such as a license text string and a corresponding license key embedded in a program that has been licensed to use a resource library. The license key is a digital signature of the license text string used to authenticate the license. The resource library has a checking routine to verify the license key and remains locked if any modification is detected. The invention also provides a per-site enforcement method where any software program present at a given user site works with the resource library only after it is provided with the proper per-site license key.

Problems solved by technology

Under current schemes, it is not always possible to charge the license fee to all users of a resource library.

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